58-Year-Old Bowler Saved by HeartSine Defibrillator

Oskar Mahler, a 58-year-old man from Deuringen, Germany almost lost his life during a recent bowling match when he experienced a life-threatening sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) attack.

In the midst of a bowling match, without warning, Mahler collapsed to the ground and stopped breathing. His teammate, Walter Rittel, saw him fall and was quick to react by running to Mahler’s side and beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Rittel, an active member of the fire department for over 25 years, had just completed a first aid refresher course.

While Rittel performed CPR on Mahler, the HeartSine automated external defibrillator (AED) was retrieved and one shock was administered to Rittel’s heart, bringing him back to life. The lifesaving device had just been installed at the event center by the community of Landsberied.

Mahler was then brought to the hospital, where doctors agreed that if he had not received effective CPR and the AED shock, he would have died.

The Deuringer and Landsberieder bowling clubs plan on offering first aid refresher courses to the public in hopes that more people will be comfortable to act as bravely as the rescuers did during Mahler’s incident.

The AED was provided by HeartSine German distributor, MedX5.

Thanks to an onsite HeartSine automated external defibrillator and the help of his colleagues, Mahler is alive and well today.

For our German speaking visitors, you can read the entire article by clicking here.